Abstract

Background

El Hito Lake is an ephemeral saline water mass present most of the year as a gypsiferous salt pan that is temporarily flooded during rainy periods, when it becomes a refuge for migratory birds such as flamingos and cranes, among others. It is considered an important hotspot of biodiversity and as such is covered by protection status.

Purpose

In order to check the environmental condition of the lake and determine the spatial distribution and source of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), we performed a detailed soil and sediment sampling campaign with the catchment and dry lake bottom.

Results

Some of the compounds showed concentrations above the soil screening levels (SSLs) for human health and ecosystems: γ-HCH (100 μg/kg), α-HCH (60 μg/kg), endrin (30 μg/kg), aldrin (30 μg/kg) and heptachlor epoxide B (30 μg/kg). Various indices were used to determine the origin of the compounds.

Conclusion

Historical uses were interpreted, although there were traces of recent input. Distribution maps of concentration and indices demonstrate a relationship between farming and cropping and the maxima observed, being possible that OCPs have influence in living beings, especially birds.

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